LIVE | Tributes pour in for Mthembu, SA's Covid-19 death toll tops 39 000

Jackson Mthembu remembered: Loyal, hardworking and a friend for life

Loyal, hardworking, committed and a friend for life - this is how those who knew and worked closely with Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu remembered him.

Mthembu died on Thursday morning of Covid-19 complications, just 10 days after saying he tested positive for the virus.

Jackson Mthembu was among the very few dedicated, humble and principled leaders of government, says the EFF.

"Despite his access to power and influence, Cde Mthembu was never caught in scandals of influencing tenders and government contracts to benefit his friends and family.

With decisiveness, he always provided logical and sound leadership which often transcended narrow partisan loyalties define parliamentary politics.

"The dedication of Minister Jackson Mthembu was demonstrated through his principled participation in the struggle against the nonsensical apartheid regime, as a students’ leader, a youth activist, as workers’ leader, community leader and certainly without entitlement for individual benefits.

"He understood that his participation in the struggle was for a common good and for the people, not for individual benefits and glory.

"Cde Jackson Mthembu almost always rose above factional politics, and never felt entitled to any leadership responsibility. He was a true servant of the people.

"During his tenure as spokesperson the ruling party, Cde Jackson Mthembu refused to partake in carefully planned activities and reactionary programme to destroy the Congress Youth League generation which has set Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime as its generational mission.

"When factionalists called him to testify against leaders of the Youth League with the sole aim of convicting and thereafter banishing them from the organisation, Cde Mthembu went to testify in defence of the Youth League Leaders.

"Despite the ultimate destruction of the Youth League, his voice will be counted as part of those who refused to suffocate the young generation of leaders who set as its agenda the revolutionary purpose to attain economic freedom in our lifetime.

"It was under Chief Whip Mthembu that Parliament commenced a closer and detailed inquiry into Guptas criminal syndicates’ redirection of State assets and resources into their self-enrichment agenda.

"He understood the frustration of all Members of Parliament including from his benches on the growing arrogance of the Gupta criminal syndicate and its representatives who disregarded processes and undermined the legitimacy of State institutions."

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, says he is deeply saddened by the news that the Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, has passed away, following Covid-19 complications.

"Mr Mthembu was a hard working and dedicated member of the executive, who always acted with integrity.

"He was also a kind man, who thought for the best interests of South Africa, and our democracy.

"I extend my condolences to his family and friends, and to the African National Congress.

"May he rest in peace."

The ANC Parliamentary Caucus has learnt with a deep sense of sadness of the untimely passing of The Minister in the Presidency, Comrade Jackson Mthembu from Covid-19 related complications.

Speaking from Colesberg, where ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina was at the burial of another ANC MP, she said: "We are shattered, this is painful and death continues unabated. We have lost my predecessor, a selfless leader; a brother who was firm in his leadership and gave me support, not seeking to lead from the grave but enabling me the space to lead and one of the best ANC cadres amongst us”.

"As the ANC Parliamentary caucus, we are devastated by the untimely passing of Minister Jackson Mthembu."

"Covid-19 has robbed us of such a dynamic leader of our people who dedicated every inch of his being to strengthening our democracy.

She said his love and loyalty to the country to the country and dedication to its people will be missed.

"We will miss his contagious laughter, affable manner and jovial nature and.

"In his honour, we will continue to fight all forms of corruption and strengthen our resolve to build a better country for all our people as we nurse back our nation to economic recovery.

"Your departure therefore has not only robbed us of your diligence and excellence- but also stole from us a communicator par excellence.

"Your dedication and patriotism, humility and selflessness will be sorely missed.

"We are grateful for your commitment to the Constitution and putting first South African people during your tenure."

Mthembu worked hard in keeping the nation updated on the risk adjusted strategy, she said.

"You brought us communication innovations that enabled the use of technology and remote systems at the peak of Covid-19 enabling the country to still be in touch with its citizens.

"As the ANC caucus in Parliament, we will continue to hold high the values that Minister Jackson Mthembu stood for and strengthen our capabilities as lawmakers in ensuring that public finances are utilised for the public good.

"Hamba Kakuhle [Go well] Mvelase!

The "Most Handsome Man" is no more.

This is how the late Jackson Mthembu would like to be introduced, says Zizi Kodwa.

I lost a mentor, a dependable cadre whose loyalty to the ANC is above reproach.

It was you Mvelase and the late Paks Mankahlana, who inspired me about political communication as an important tool in advancing the objectives of the struggle.

It was you Mvelase, that in later years when we both became Members of Parliament in 2014, you approached me and said, " Ziziman as you know the ANC has no spokesperson, I think you should consider going to Luthuli House".

I was hesitant as we had just been sworn in as Members of Parliament, but you explained, why me.

I immediately changed  my mind and agreed, this conversation made it easy when I was later approached by the Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe that I should resign as MP and join him at Luthuli House as ANC National spokesperson.

I thank you for trusting me with such a huge responsibility.

I thank you for being a mentor, I thank you for your guidance during the most difficult times I relied on you.

No words can express how I feel now, but I will celebrate your life.

FAREWELL Handsome man

Ozithobileyo 

Zizi Kodwa

ANC women's league president Bathabile Dlamini called Mthembu a man who was favoured by the ANC’s leaders.

She referred to a time of former president Nelson Mandela’s fondness for Mthembu.

"He was very passionate [about] his work but also he was a straight forward person and a fighter that could differentiate between political and organisational work, and personal relationships with a comrade. He was a also a favourite of the leadership.

"During Madiba’s time, he was called back to the head office to be the spokesperson of the ANC. It was a pleasure to work with him." 

Mthembu ensure that every message was passed down to communities during the pandemic, said Dlamini.

"Communication is very important during these hard times and sustaining a story line."

- Lizeka Tandwa

ANC Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane described Mthembu as a dependable, reliable, educated and diligent cadre of the movement. 

"He was principled and very consistent. You would never find him wanting on matters of principle. He grew up in the ANC and knew the responsibility of a leader. He understood and really respected the ANC.

"We called each other ‘Mthembu-Wakuthi’ because we came from the same clan. We were very close. Ours is just to hope the family will accept what it cannot change.

"I know the difficulty of losing a child and husband is not a soft one. He has been our leader and we got a lot of counselling from him. [He was] very humble and down to earth. I will miss him."

- Lizeka Tandwa

The longest serving minister of South Africa’s democracy Jeff Radebe spoke fondly of Mthembu and his dedication to the ANC and South Africa. 

"He was a dedicated cadre of ANC, who dedicated his life for freedom and justice for all who spent the latter part of his career in building a new constitutional order. He was a conduit of par excellence. He will be solely missed. I worked with him in the ANC as head of policy, I always interacted with him as a national spokesperson. He took over the baton that we left in the presidency and ran with it. His laugher and his ability to interact with the people was a reflection of his humanity. He was a family man, a husband, a father and friend to many people. He was a really good human being."

- Lizeka Tandwa

Mthembu understood that the ANC couldn't exist in a vacuum.

He would always argue to get the relationship right with the media, says Khoza.

When Mthembu was the spokesperson of the ANC, it was at a time the party went through a difficult time. He assisted in stabilising the ANC, says Khoza.

Mthembu didn't shy away from confronting issues. He lived for the ANC and embodied the brand in his conduct.

The ANC has lost someone who dedicated his life, his soul to the ANC, says Khoza.

The ANC and government were fortunate to have somebody like Mthembu whose mind was in the right place.

He was indeed the son of the soil and we are going to miss him, Khoza said.

Keith Khoza says it's a very difficult moment for anybody who worked with Mthembu.

He would always take leadership and insist on getting everything done the right way.

To me he was a mentor, says Khoza.

His family has lost someone very important to them, it will take them a long time to recover.

"It's very raw," says Duarte.

"I'm struggling," says Duarte about Mthembu's death.

It's difficult to process that he's gone and that he is not going to come back.

He died with his boots on, says Duarte.

"Our brother is gone, with his delightful laugh, he's gone forever," says Duarte.

Mthembu was not afraid of defending what was important defending.

He defended the truth.

He believed we shouldn't run away from criticism, says Duarte. 

We are still reeling from the shock, not all of us know how to process it, says Duarte.

This is a great loss. 

He leaves a legacy of honesty and integrity. 

He put the country first at all times, he was able to bring quality in debates at the NEC, said Duarte.

He interacted with people, and didn't live in a cloud. He understood what the challenges were for the people and could articulate those challenges.

He could be firm and stern if he needed to be, said Duarte.

He had a great sense of humour.

During a media briefing ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte said Jackson Mthembu worked long hours and his belief was that no job should be left undone.

He would perfect a statement to make sure that it was accurate.

Mmusi Maimane said South Africa has lost an ally to the project of building South Africa. 

Mthembu was one of his favourite South Africans and Maimane says he will never Mthembu's "deep laugh". 

"We have lost an all. I never questioned that he wanted to do the right thing.

"He understood parliamentary process. He knew the work of parliament that we need to broker agreement.

"My condolences to his family.

"We cried and fought together, when he lost his daughter I spoke to him. More than anything I never questioned his love for South Africa. He was one of my favourite South Africans. 

Maimane said now is the time to act in unity.

"Part of what we need to take is that this is a dangerous virus. More than anything it’s a time now to sober up the conversation and do the best we can and for government to up their action.

"This is a sobering moment to say we need to act with unison and with urgency. Jackson is a public figure, we all know and love but there are many other whom we have lost from the deadly virus."

-Lizeka Tandwa

Solly Mapaila said the death of Mthembu is a sad loss for movement and people of South Africa.

"He immersed himself in the liberation struggle. Highly committed individual. I worked with him for several decades in the movement and we continued to work together. He was always humble with a great ear to listen. It’s a sad loss.

"He understood for people to accept ideas we needed to share ideas with them. Communication became a hallmark of his character, that whatever the movement does must be communicated.

"Even if a call from journalists came during a meeting, there were instances he would come out of a meeting to return calls to journalists. He appreciated communication as crucial to the struggle.

-Lizeka Tandwa

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa who served in the Portfolio Committee on Environmental affairs when Mthmebu chaired the committee said Mthembu always came well prepared to the meetings.

"Jackson, when confronted with ANC politics, appeared to be a person who would stand up for his beliefs openly, and had a good sense of humour.

"Mthembu batted well during his innings and we can't fault him and we should be just thankful to have people like him who were in the forefront of the struggle."

- Lizeka Tandwa

DA leader John Steenhuisen, who served as the chief whip of the opposition opposite Mthembu, said: "I knew him as a man of integrity, and someone who managed to see the bigger picture and the greater cause. He was always prepared to do what it took to find solutions to whatever impasse we might have been facing in the House.

"If this meant meeting up long after the working day was done to thrash out the details of an agreement, then Jackson would do so in a heartbeat.

- Jan Gerber

The Solidarity Movement today expressed its condolences to Minister Jackson Mthembu’s family and colleagues following the minister’s death earlier today.

The movement said its thoughts are with Mthembu’s family in this difficult time.

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane says Mthembu played a central role in the fight against Covid-19.

"The province has lost a true son of the soil. Minister Mthembu played a central role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and ensured that information was disseminated to South Africans through the various media briefings he chaired," said the premier. 

She described Mthembu as a "selfless embodiment of ethical and principled leadership who led not only with words but with actions".

Mthembu was at the "forefront of our fight to end the crime against humanity that was apartheid.

“His passing leaves us with a deeper commitment to serve our people tirelessly. His is a legacy we all endeavor to replicate and honour. May his soul Rest in Peace,” concluded the premier.

ANC chairperson and minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe said: "It’s a big loss to the country it’s a big loss to the ANC. He was a reliable person in the movement. He was reliable in the work of government we send condolences to his family.”

Mantashe said he knew Mthembu was ill and he phoned him regularly.

"I was thinking of phoning him this morning. Last I phoned him was three days ago and … I had all the hope, by the way. He talked to me nicely, a short message, and we left it there. I can’t understand it."

-Carien du Plessis

DA leader John Steenhuisen said it was an honour serving alongside a South African patriot.

"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Minister Jackson Mthembu. It was such an honour to serve alongside this true South African patriot. Condolences to his family and friends and the colleagues in his party. May his soul rest in peace."

-Jason Felix